The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-03
More Railroads.

LAST week the REFLECTOR started
"b wing" among the railroad hOb-nob
bers by demanding that some kind OF
security as forfeit be put up by these
men representing new railroad schemes,
that their proposed road will be built II
the aid asked is voted them. And we
are pleased to note, from the congratu-
lations which the REFLECTOR has re-
ceived from the people, that it struck
the key note in the right place. AS we
said then, We say noW-we are IN favor
OF working, and that hard, for the Sc
curing of more roads, but in doing so
We want to know that our labor and eX-
pectttions will not fall to the ground.
TIe Chicago, Omaha & Southwestern
railroad route is a good one, and one
which would benefit us more than any
other road that has been mentioned, as
it would give US direct market to the
north and south. But will it be built
if the bonds are voted ? is the question.
A burnt child breads the fire, and the
people Of this county have been badly
burnt Or duped, in voting bonds twice,
OrcG to the 0. \. & w. and the other
to the Fort Worth. Then is it not nat
ur2l that they should begin to demand
a security as forfeit before any more
bonds are voted?
The committees which have the mat
ter in hand are to meet in this city, at
tbs court house, to-day, "wednesday
to ;ake final steps in regard to securing
the I'D asked by the Chicago, Omaha &
Southwestern, also the Rock Island, the
la ter wanting to forfeit the old bonds
and new ones voted. With what we
81 i last week, we have nothing to take
back, as the REFLECTOR is for the in
terast Of Abilene aud Dickinson county,
regardless of a few who may think our
course of action to the contrary.
We will now give the proposed route
of The Chicago, Omaha & Southwestern,
wilh their proposition, and if the voters
think that it is sufficient we have moth
ing more to say, only go to work, and
that without firing, that the amount
asked be voted. These men propose,
SO We understand, to deposit money to
pay for the election, and bind them
selves to have the road under contract
and men at work by June, and the road
completed through this county within
tie next twelve months. The route
proposed, starts from Omaha, Neb.,
and runs nearly south to Tecumseh,
Johnson Co., Neb. thence southwest
through Marysville, Marshall Co., Kan;
thence to Clay Center thence south
through Industry to Abilene; thence
southwest through Lyons, Rice Co., st.
johns, Stafford Co., and Klaine, Clark
Co thence on through the Indian ter
ritory.
The Industry Herald takes the same
stand with the REFLECTOR in regard to
this bond voting question. 1t says, in
speaking Of the Chicago, Omaha s.
railroad, ut seems that
thus company means business. But it
strikes us that the proper way would be
for The railroad company to put up some
security as forfeit if they fail to build
the road after the bonds have been
voted. Suppose Mr.. A. should go to
farmer and contract his hogs at the
NJ lrket price, agreeing to take them in
so days. He would certainly ask Mr..
\. to pay something down as a forfeit
III case he failed to take the hogs ac-
cOraUg to contract. For the farmer is
bcund to keep the hogs for him the 80
days, even though he has to miss a
Chance to do better. Mr.. A. has only
thu forfeit to hold him. Consequently
it seems nothing more than fair for the
railroad company to say to the people:
Here, you vote us $4,000 per mile and
we will deposit fair amount of Sc
cUrities as a forfeit in case we fail to
build the road according to promise. "